Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, with the Stamford Bridge club making the Dutch shot stopper a “concrete” priority for the summer window .
The 23 year old has taken the Premier League by storm in his debut season on Wearside, keeping eight clean sheets in 28 appearances with a save percentage of 71.4 per cent, among the best in the division . Now the big boys are circling.
THE INTEREST
According to reports, Chelsea’s recruitment team are prioritising a new long term No.1, with Roefs emerging as a serious candidate after his impressive campaign . Liam Rosenior is said to be a “big admirer” of the 6ft 4in keeper, viewing him as the ideal option for years to come .
But the Blues aren’t alone. Liverpool and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation, with all three elite clubs having watched Roefs closely this season .
THE PRICE TAG
Sunderland value their star at around £50million and they’re in no mood to negotiate. Roefs only arrived from NEC Nijmegen last summer on a five year deal, and the Black Cats are under no financial pressure to sell .
The club have already signed Swedish keeper Melker Ellborg as cover, a move widely seen as succession planning should a monster bid arrive . They’re preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.
THE PLAYER’S VIEW
Roefs himself is playing it cool. Asked about the speculation, he told the Sunderland Echo: “I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t hear anything from it from my agents. As long as I don’t know anything about it, they can read or write what they want.”
“It’s a compliment, I think, if people write it about you. I’m really not into this. It’s my first season in the Premier League, my first season here. I’m really enjoying every single minute of it, so I’m not thinking of anything else” .
THE STATS
The numbers back up the hype. Roefs has:
8 clean sheets in 28 Premier League games
81 saves from 114 shots faced
A PSxG differential of +2.6 among the best in the league at preventing expected goals
He also has a World Cup spot with the Netherlands in his sights, which could further inflate his value come summer .
THE VERDICT
Sunderland are in the driving seat. Long contract. Stable finances. No need to sell. But £50m is life changing money for a club of their size, especially for a goalkeeper signed for a fraction of that just 12 months ago.
Chelsea want him. City are watching. Liverpool lurking. The summer battle for Robin Roefs is only just beginning.
